The cover of this issue really does an apt job of illustrating the recurring theme of this story: Lee Price is caught in a web of lies, deceit and manipulation, all stemming from his misguided attempts to use the Venom symbiote for his own profit. Although initially seeming like a blessing, Venom’s power never comes without a cost, even if it’s no longer being exacted by the alien itself.

The dilemma Lee finds himself in during this issue does a lot to address my concerns from last month, when it seemed that things were simply happening far too easily for him. (And Venom’s historic weakness to fire is addressed within the context of last issue’s battle, so I’ll retract that continuity complaint as well.) While I’m still a bit miffed at his dismissive and callous approach to the symbiote, that’s the intent: we’re not supposed to like Lee, and there’s satisfaction in his humbling this issue.

There’s also payoff to Mac Gargan’s lingering presence these last two issues, and it’s really the best showing he’s had in recent memory. Mac’s history has been one of madness and violence since being trapped in the Scorpion armor, and while he was never a good person, he was shown to be a great deal more cunning and intelligent in his original appearance. He began a return to that characterization when he donned the Venom suit himself, although it was still balanced by periods of homicidal rage. 

This book has been continuing the trend started over in Spider-Man 2099, remembering that while Gargan has no problems getting his hands dirty, he was also the best private detective money could buy just prior to becoming a supervillain. You can follow his train of thought as he clearly recognizes the wounds on Lee’s victims from the issue, and realizes he’s going to need his Scorpion armor to address this problem. While I’d like Black Cat to do more than lounge in her easy chair if she’s going to be a regular part of this story, it’s rewarding to see Mac step up to the plate and stop being a spectator.

It’s equally rewarding to see the symbiote act to ditch Lee at the first opportunity. It’s still a bit unclear why this became an available option now as opposed to last issue when it was completely cowed to Lee’s will; I can hypothesize, but I’d prefer it if the story simply stated the creature’s limitations, so as to start developing an internally-consistent logic to the alien’s capabilities. That aside, it’s great to see Lee suffer the consequences of his ruthless use of the thing, and bittersweet to see the escape attempt foiled precisely because the alien learned nobility. 

Of course, this now raises the idea that the symbiote can jump ship whenever it likes, and places further strain on the premise of its union with Price going forward. I’ll withhold judgment on that until we see where the story goes. 

However, what I am a bit tired of is long-winded expository scenes where a character delivers a prepared speech on why someone in a superior bargaining position should do as they like. Lee delivered one to the Black Cat last issue, and she bought it despite it being easier for her to wash her hands of the debacle and turn Price away. Now the federal agents deliver one to Price and present him with two options, neither in his interest, and Price just accepts it because…why? In the immediate moment, they had a clear physical threat to Lee’s well-being, but the leverage they have to keep him under their thumb is incredibly weak. Like the Black Cat last month, Lee goes along with this because it seems to be necessary to keep the plot moving, not because it’s what the characters should be doing in this situation.

Despite all that, the web of violence and greed that Lee’s been spinning around himself seems to be rearranging into a noose around his neck; a confrontation with the Scorpion is promised next issue, and there’s a much-publicized battle with Spider-Man himself promised after that. I still have concerns about how this story is progressing, but I am eager to see the events that it’s building towards.